Identifying factors for poorer educational outcomes that may be exacerbated by COVID‐19: A systematic review focussing on at‐risk school children and adolescents

Abstract

School closures across Australia in response to COVID-19 have persisted since 2020, with rising mental health problems in children and adolescents, alongside rising negative family health and socioeconomic outcomes. Further, some children and young people

Children and youth in the age of COVID‐19

“…The core aim of the special issue was to begin to address the evidence base on the impacts of the pandemic on children and young people and consider potential social and economic policies and service system responses. We received 11 papers in the following areas: Rapid and systematic reviews setting the scene for the implications of COVID‐19 for children and young people with a focus on Australian evidence but not exclusively (Coles et al, 2022). Empirical analyses of the impacts of COVID‐19 on children and youth (Allen et al, 2023; Dinku & Yap, 2022; Mundy et al, 2022; Prattley et al, 2022; Price et al, 2022; Tomaszewski et al, 2022; Townsend et al, 2022).…”

“…Coles et al (2022) conducted a rapid systematic review of the evidence prior to the pandemic examining factors that may be related to poorer educational outcomes for disadvantaged school students. Based on the review of 69 Australian studies, they focus on children who start school behind, youth at risk of disengagement from school and children or youth who have had contact with the child protection system.…”

“…The rapid systematic review by Coles et al (2022) is notable for synthesising the relevant literature prior to the pandemic; however, there is a strong need for ongoing synthesis and reviews of lessons from the pandemic across all the areas reviewed. While this special issue does address some lessons for public policy and service delivery (Bessell & Vuckovic, 2022; Mardinli et al, 2022; Plage et al, 2022), the significant and rapid reform of health and social service delivery in moving to remote delivery over this period warrants further systematic examination.…”

“…• Rapid and systematic reviews setting the scene for the implications of COVID-19 for children and young people with a focus on Australian evidence but not exclusively (Coles et al, 2022). • Empirical analyses of the impacts of COVID-19 on children and youth (Allen et al, 2023;Dinku & Yap, 2022;Mundy et al, 2022;Prattley et al, 2022;Price et al, 2022;Tomaszewski et al, 2022;Townsend et al, 2022).…”

Examination of a community-based, multifaceted program for juvenile offenders and their families

“…With the continued limited amount of mental health services within communities across the country, exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19 (Coles et al , 2022; Khan, 2022; Wood et al , 2018), the task of addressing mental health issues have fallen on the juvenile court system. The court’s initial responses were to detain a large number of juveniles because that was one of their only tools available in years past.…”